XI OPTIMA Meeting

______OPTIMA (Organization for the Phyto-Taxonomic Investigation of the Mediterranean Area)

Second Circular

Dear Colleagues,

We invite you to join us in Palermo in September 2013. Be assured that we will organise the Meeting in full agreement with its successful tradition, in a way that will be both pleasant and scientifically rewarding. Come and experience the strengthening of relationships among Mediterranean and Mediterranean-centred plant taxonomists. Come and take back with you an unforgettable memory. Sicily with its unequalled natural and cultural riches and traditional hospitality is awaiting you. Preparations are progressing according to schedule. The full scientific programme is to be announced this summer when all symposium conveners will have finalised their list of speakers. The provisional, detailed scientific programme, bound to vary continuously, is not included in this Circular but is shown on the OPTIMA, at www.optima-bot.org/palermo2013, which we advise you to visit from time to time to update yourselves.

Francesco M. Raimondo

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YOU CAN CONTACT US AT [email protected] SCIENTIFIC PROGRAMME Comprises 16 Symposia with invited speakers, including 2 Cryptogamic Symposia, and two Poster Sessions with offered presentations on subjects independent of the Symposium topics.

LOCATION AND DATES: The XIV OPTIMA Meeting will take place in Palermo, Sicily. The outline programme is as follows: 8-9 September: Non-public meetings of the International Board, Executive Council, and Scientific Commissions 9-15 September: Scientific programme 12 September: Mid-Congress excursion

OFFICIAL LANGUAGES: English and French

REGISTRATION FEE

No. Category Payment in Euros Regular Late On-Meeting 1 Regular OPTIMA Members 200 250 300

2 Associated members 250 300 350

3 Non-members 250 300 350

4 Accompanying persons 100 150 150

5 Students 120 170 200

Registration fee covers Full (Categories 1-3): Book of abstracts, programme, all printed meeting documents; welcome reception, conference dinner, garden party, break refreshments, farewell drinks; one-day excursion. Accompanying persons: programme, welcome reception, conference dinner, garden party, break refreshments, farewell drinks; one-day excursion. Students: book of abstracts, programme, welcome reception, garden party, break refreshments, farewell drinks; one-day excursion. The conference dinner, if desired, will be charged in addition. Regular registration rates apply to payments made prior to 31 May 2013. After that date, late registration rates will apply. Payments can be made in one of the following ways: - Credit-card or PayPal account by PayPal click here or ask to [email protected] - Bank transfer to OPTIMA, account No. 240-396199-M3T (IBAN: CH79 0024 0240 3961 99M3T; BIC: UBSWCHZH80A), Union Bank of Switzerland, CH-8401 Wintherthur, Switzerland. All bank fees (including contingent liabilities) are to be paid by the participant. - International bank cheque sent to OPTIMA Secretariat in Palermo (add 10€ for banking fees at our end).

Book of proceedings: Publication of scientific contributions will be subject to fast-line peer review and will be effected online in the electronic edition of the journal Bocconea. Each contribution will be published individually as soon as it is ready, with its own DOI. Subsequent publication of a consolidated print version is also planned (to be offered on subscription at the conference registration desk).

Cancellation Policies: All cancelations must be sent in writing to the organisers (preferably by e-mail: [email protected]). Cancellation refunds: Before 15 June 2013 : % 100 refund of paid fees; June 15 – July 15, 2013: % 50 refund of paid fees; July 15 – August 15, 2013: % 25 refund of paid fees; No refund will be provided after August 15, 2013. All bank fees (including contingent liabilities) are to be paid by the participant.

DEADLINES: 31 May 2013: Payment of (regular) registration fee 31 July 2013: Submission of abstracts Cancellation with full refund will be possible before 15 June 2013.

PROGRAMME: Sunday 08/09: Commission meetings (restricted) Monday 09/09 Registration of the participants Morning: International Board Meeting, Executive Council Meeting (restricted) Noon: Opening ceremony, followed by Plenary Lecture  S. Knapp: The current revolution in publishing and communicating scientific results. Afternoon: Symposium 1  K. Marhold: New frontiers in Plant Systematics (IAPT supported Symposium) Afternoon: Symposium 2  R. M. Ros & M. G. Dia: Mediterranean Bryophytes Evening: Welcome Reception at the Botanical Garden of Palermo (IAPT sponsored) Tuesday 10/09 Morning: Symposium 3  F.M. Raimondo: Taxonomy and floristics in Italy Morning: Symposium 4  A. Crespo & A. R. Burgaz: Lichen studies in the Mediterranean area Afternoon: Symposium 5  K. Marhold: Floristic relationships of Italy with the Balkan Peninsula (IAPT supported Symposium) Afternoon: Symposium 6  M. Fennane: Conservation: legal instruments and their application Wednesday 11/09 Morning: Poster session A. Afternoon: Symposium 7  P. Mazzola: The Mediterranean as source of ornamentals Afternoon: Symposium 8  B. Valdés: The present and future of Mediterranean floristics Evening: Garden Party at the Botanical Garden of Palermo Thursday 12/09 Mid-Congress excursion Friday 13/09 Morning: Symposium 9  E. von Raab-Straube: Taxonomic data in the information age Morning: Symposium 10  L. Sadori, M. Mariotti Lippi, A. M. Mercuri: Palynology for the Mediterranean vegetation history Afternoon: Symposium 11  E. Vitek: Collection data in the information age Afternoon: Symposium 12  C. Galán Soldevilla: Mediterranean pollen studies Evening: Conference Dinner Saturday 14/09 Morning: Symposium 13  S. Šiljak-Yakovlev & L. Peruzzi: Progress in Mediterranean karyosystematics Morning: Poster session B. Afternoon: Symposium 14  S. Šiljak-Yakovlev & L. Peruzzi: Progress in Mediterranean molecular systematics Afternoon: Symposium 15  S.L. Jury: Mediterranean Umbelliferae Sunday 15/09 Morning: Symposium 16  V.H. Heywood: In-situ conservation of target species Afternoon: Closing Ceremony and farewell drinks offered by OPTIMA

Organization Committee: Chair: Francesco M. Raimondo Secretary: Werner Greuter Member: Pietro Mazzola Member: Gianniantonio Domina Member: Giuseppe Bazan

Meeting Center, Transports and Accommodation: The XIV. OPTIMA Meeting will be held at the Botanic Garden of the University of Palermo, via Lincoln, 2A, Palermo From the airport (33 km): The simplest transportation is by bus. Buses depart every 30 minutes. The fare to Palermo is around 7€. From the city of Palermo, the Prestia Comandé airport buses depart from the square in front of the main train station, with a stop at Politeama (for buses en route to the airport the stop is indicated by a sign at the corner of Via Libertà in front of Prada); there are departures for the airport from Politeama from 4:15 AM to 11:15 PM. Travel time averages 40 minutes but delays along the route are common. A train (the "Trinacria Express") serves the route between the Palermo airport and the main railway station, departing every hour or so, travel time averages 40 minutes; ticket costs around 6€. Taxi fares are at least 50€ for a ride into the city. In the city: A ticket for the city buses (operated by AMAT), available from tobacco vendors, some bars and some kiosks, costs around 1.30€. You must stamp the ticket in one of the on-board machines upon boarding the first bus you take using that ticket. Taxis, horse carriages and three-wheel vehicles are expensive, better ask for the price from the driver before mounting. Please make your own accommodation arrangements. We advise that you book as soon as possible, because September in Palermo is high season. A selection of Hotels that are granting special prices for OPTIMA Meeting participants follows. At any rate we recommend that you use a booking website (e.g. http://www.tripadvisor.com, http://www.booking.com, http://www.trivago.com/), which usually offer lower rates. Do not choose an hotel too far from the Botanical Garden or the City Centre, because the public transportation with suburbs are infrequent!

1) NH Palermo **** Foro Italico. 90133 Palermo Tel. +39 091 6165090 E-mail: [email protected] double single use, 100€; double, 110€

2) Hotel San Paolo Palace **** Via Messina Marine, 91 - Palermo +39.091.6211112 (Centralino) +39.091.6215300 [email protected] http://www.sanpaolopalace.it. double single use, 85€; double, 100€

3) Massimo Plaza Hotel **** Via Maqueda 437- 90133- Palermo Tel. 091.325657 fax 091/325711 www.massimoplazahotel.com [email protected] double single use, 89€; double, 108€

4) Hotel Posta Palermo *** Via Gagini, 77 - 90133 - Palermo Tel. 091.587338 fax 091587347 www.hotelpostapalermo.it [email protected] double single use, 79€; double, 98€

5) Hotel Palazzo Sitano**** Via Vittorio Emanuele, 114 90133 Palermo (I) Tel. +39 091 611 98 80 Fax +39 091 662 23 36 double single use, 100€; double, 130€

6) Hotel Porta Felice **** Via Butera, 45 90133 Palermo Tel: +39 091 617 56 78 Fax: + 39 091 617 14 25 E-mail: [email protected] Internet: www.hotelportafelice.it double single use, 85€; double, 120€

[All prices quoted are per night and include breakfast].

Scientific presentations Each registered participant is entitled to present a single scientific contribution (orally or as a poster). This does not prevent multiple presence as a co-author of contributions by other registered participants. Oral presentations Please adhere to the time limits imparted by the Symposium Organiser. Power-point projection will be provided. If in need of other facilities (slide projection, black- or whiteboard, etc.), please contact the Organisers beforehand ([email protected]). Poster presentations Poster dimensions must not exceed 90 cm (length) by 70 cm (width). Poster mounting materials will be provided. Please contact the organisers should you have any special requirement ([email protected]) Abstract submissions Abstracts will be published in the Abstract Book. They will be printed as submitted (except for formatting), or but slightly edited. Abstracts will only be accepted in electronic format and conditional upon prior payment of the registration fee. No abbreviation is allowed in the title. Addresses should be brief and not include academic titles. The text must be in English or French, and is not to exceed 400 words. Longer abstracts will be shortened at the Organisers’ discretion, or when this is not possible, they will be returned. Abbreviations other than those internationally accepted should not be used. No footnote can be permitted. Abstracts must be sent by e-mail to [email protected]. Deadline for abstract submission is July 31, 2013. Abstracts submitted after this date will not be included in the Abstract book. Upon request, a letter of acknowledgement / acceptance can be sent to the author’s e-mail address.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you require any further information. We look forward to welcoming you in Palermo in September! XIV OPTIMA Meeting, Palermo 9-15 September 2013

REGISTRATION FORM

(PRINT, COMPLETE AND RETURN; ALSO AVAILABLE ONLINE AT: HTTP://WWW.OPTIMA- BOT.ORG/PALERMO2013

I will participate in the XIV OPTIMA Meeting Given (first) name(s) ______Family name(s) ______Address ______Phone ______Fax ______E-mail ______

I am: Regular OPTIMA member Associated member or non-member Student I expect to be accompanied by ___ person(s): ______I intend to participate with a poster presentation I have been invited to give an oral presentation in Symposium No. … Title: ______

The registration fee of ______.€ has been paid by: □ Credit card or Paypal □ Bank Trasfer □ Is enclosed in form of a cheque (add 10€ for banking fees) □ Will be paid upon registration (at On –meeting fee)

I am arriving the: ______and leaving the: ______

I have booked my accommodation at: ______

TO BE RETURNED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, PREFERABLY BEFORE 01 JULY 2013, TO:

OPTIMA Secretariat Via Lincoln 2 90133 Palermo E-mail: [email protected]